Employee Stock Ownership Feature of 401 (k) Plan (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2009
Employee Stock Ownership Plan of 401 (k) (Textual) [Abstract]
ESOP borrowing to purchase treasury shares	$ 40,000,000
Borrowings of Viad under its revolving credit agreement	12,400,000
ESOP, Loan entered with Viad	1,300,000			12,400,000
Minimum quarterly principal payments	250,000
Reduction of stockholders' equity	250,000
Unearned employee benefits and other	1,300,000			12,400,000
Expense recorded by Viad	$ 1,700,000	$ 1,600,000	$ 1,500,000
Unallocated shares	130,577	293,280
Shares allocated	162,703	147,089